Anisha Riggs
Incense has been used in religious worship for thousands of years, including in the Catholic Church. The Bible mentions incense 170 times, and the practice of burning incense is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments. The use of incense in Catholic churches is steeped in symbolism and ritual. It is used during Mass and other liturgical services, with priests and altar servers swinging censers to spread the fragrant smoke. The smoke is believed to symbolise sanctification and purification, as well as the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. Incense is also used during processions, graveside services, the blessing of new churches and sacred items, and during the consecration of holy oils.
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What You'll Learn
Incense symbolises sanctification and purification
Incense is burned in Catholic liturgies to symbolise sanctification and purification. The smoke from the incense represents prayers rising to heaven. The use of incense adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass.
The practice of burning incense in Catholic churches is rooted in the Holy Scriptures, where it is mentioned that God commanded Moses to build an altar of incense for worship in the Tabernacle. This altar was to be made of acacia wood, and Aaron, the first high priest of the Israelites, was to burn fragrant incense upon it every morning and evening.
The use of incense in the Catholic Church continues the Jewish tradition that came before it, as mentioned in the Old Testament. In the Book of Exodus, God gave specific instructions on how the incense should be made through a "holy recipe". Incense was used in the ritual cleansing and purification of the Tabernacle, making it a worthy place for the worship of God.
In the New Testament, the Three Kings brought frankincense as one of the precious gifts presented to Baby Jesus, recognising his roles as priest, prophet, and king. Additionally, in his apocalyptic visions of heaven, St. John the Apostle recorded the use of incense at God's heavenly throne.
During Catholic Mass, incense is used at various points to symbolise sanctification and purification. The priest incenses the altar, purifying and sanctifying it as the holiest location inside any Catholic Church. The priest may also incense the Crucifix and the Paschal Candle. During funeral Masses, the priest incenses the coffin as a sign of honour and as a symbol of the faithful's prayers for the deceased rising to God.
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Incense is used during the Entrance Procession
Incense is burned during the Entrance Procession to symbolise sanctification and purification. The smoke from the incense represents the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. In the Bible, the Book of Revelation describes an angel holding a censer of gold, standing at the altar of incense, with the prayers of God's people rising like smoke.
The Roman Missal allows the use of incense at any Mass. The Entrance Procession is one of five points at which incense can be used during Mass. The other four are: at the beginning of Mass, to incense the altar and cross; at the Gospel procession and proclamation; at the offertory, to incense the offerings, the cross, the altar, the priest and the people; and at the elevation of the Sacred Host and chalice of Precious Blood after the consecration.
The use of incense during the Entrance Procession is optional and is usually reserved for the entrance procession of a bishop. It is accompanied by the use of a processional cross and processional candles. The celebrant "imposes" incense, which means placing the incense on the coals within the thurible. The thurifer holds the ring of the chain in his left hand and the chain close to the bowl of the censer in his right hand. The deacon or another server holds the incense boat in his left hand and presents the spoon to the celebrant with his right hand. The celebrant then imposes incense three times before returning the spoon. The deacon transfers the incense boat to his left hand to receive the spoon with his right. The celebrant then makes the sign of the cross towards the open censer. The thurifer closes the censer and goes to the head of the procession to await its beginning. As the procession makes its way to the sanctuary, the thurifer gently swings the censer back and forth.
The use of incense during the Entrance Procession adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass. The visual imagery of the smoke and the smell remind us of the transcendence of the Mass, linking heaven and earth, and allowing us to enter into the presence of God.
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Incense is burned at the beginning of Mass
Incense has been used in religious rites for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Egypt, China, and beyond. In the Catholic Church, the tradition of burning incense is steeped in centuries-old traditions, enhancing the spiritual experience.
Burning incense is considered a prayer in itself, with the smoke symbolizing the faithful's prayers drifting up to heaven. The aroma creates an ambiance of heaven on earth, connecting the worshippers to God's altar. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal permits the use of incense during the entrance procession and at the beginning of Mass, to incense the altar.
The altar is incensed at the start of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to connect with Christ's Holy Sacrifice. The sweet-smelling smoke rising towards and enveloping the holy book symbolizes the reverence and love for the holy words of the Savior. The incense also signifies the honor bestowed upon the body of the deceased, which became the temple of the Holy Spirit through Baptism.
The type of incense commonly used in Catholic churches is a blend of frankincense (gum resin or gum olibanum) and myrrh, with additional ingredients like benzoin, styrax, opoponax, and essential oils. The art of burning incense involves placing the incense grains in a censer or 'thurible' and allowing the aromatic smoke to fill the church.
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Incense is used to bless items
Incense is used in Catholic churches for various blessings and sanctifications. The smoke of the incense is believed to symbolise sanctification and purification. It also symbolises the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven.
The use of incense in Catholic churches has its roots in the Old Testament. In the Book of Exodus, God commands Moses to build an altar of incense to stand beside the altar of sacrifice. God also instructs Moses to burn incense on the altar every morning and evening when he dresses the lamps. This is symbolic of a constant pillar of smoke ascending to heaven from the tabernacle.
Incense is used in Catholic churches to bless items such as statues and images. It is also used to bless the Book of Gospels, new altars, new church bells, and new sacred vessels. During the Easter Vigil, five grains of incense, made to look like red nails, are embedded in the paschal candle. These grains symbolise the five wounds of Jesus Christ.
The usage of incense adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass. It is also used during funeral Masses to bless the coffin, symbolising the faithful's prayers for the deceased rising to God.
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Incense is used during funeral services
Additionally, the priest may incense the coffin as a sign of honour to the deceased's body, recognising it as a temple of the Holy Spirit through baptism. The incense also serves to purify the coffin and is seen as a way to bless and sanctify it in preparation for the funeral rites.
The use of incense in Catholic liturgies is not unique to funeral services. It is also used during Mass and other liturgical services, where it holds symbolic value. The incense is often swung by priests or altar servers, filling the air with fragrant smoke. This practice is rooted in biblical traditions, with references in both the Old Testament and New Testament. For example, in Exodus 30:1-10, God instructs Moses to build an altar of incense for worship, stating, "You shall make an altar to burn incense upon; of acacia wood shall you make it... And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it."
The use of incense in Catholic worship has evolved over time. While it was initially associated with paganism in the early centuries of Church writings, its use was later embraced as a symbol of prayer and sanctification. Today, the use of incense in Catholic funeral services and other liturgies is seen as a powerful liturgical gift, enhancing the spiritual experience and connecting earthly worship with the worship of heaven.
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Frequently asked questions
The use of incense in Catholic churches is symbolic of sanctification and purification. It is also used to bless and sanctify things in a special way. The smoke of the incense is believed to represent the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven.
Incense is burned during Mass, at the beginning of the liturgy, and during processions. It is also used during graveside services, the blessing of new churches, and the consecration of holy oils.
The type of incense used in Catholic churches can vary, but it is typically a fragrant blend of resins, herbs, and spices that create a sweet fragrance.
